Thursday, November 5, 2009

Swine flu is for the little people

"[T]he Center for Disease Control (CDC) approved the distribution of the H1NI vaccine to Wall Street firms at a time when the vaccine is unavailable to most Americans. Recent news reports indicate 13 companies, including Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and Time Warner, have been cleared to receive the vaccine. The CDC is distributing the much sought-after vaccine to Wall Street firms despite reports of vast shortages. In fact, just yesterday CDC Director Thomas Frieden informed Congress that only 32.3 million doses are available, far less than the 159 million needed to cover those at the highest risk. Given the scarce supply, the CDC has recommended the vaccine be directed only to those at highest risk: pregnant women, infants and children and those up to 24 years, those who care for infants, health and emergency services personnel, and adults with compromised immune systems or other chronic health problems."

Got that? The Obama administration pushed the executives and employees of Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Time Warner and other Wall Street big shots to the front of the line for swine flu vaccine (cutting in front of pregnant women, infants, children, emergency services personnel and those with health problems), notwithstanding being 120+ million doses short.

I guess the administration thinks it's no big deal if low paid workers get swine flu.

It makes you wonder if this kind of cronyism and favoritism and rewards for campaign contributors and insiders will be business as usual in any new government healthcare plans.

About Me

Lifelong Democrat; Former president, Broward County, Florida Young Democrats; Former member, Broward County, Florida Democratic Executive Committee; Former city commissioner, City of Cooper City, Florida; Graduate, The University of Florida; Practicing attorney, Miami, Florida; Member, The Florida Bar; Member, North American Snowsports Journalists Association; Broward County Young Democrats' Trailblazer of the Year, 1994; Broward County Young Democrats' Young Democrat of the Year, 1996.